BIRTA — It was a happy moment for the Hugh and Margery Eldridge family when they found out they were selected as the 2013 Yell County Farm Family of the Year.

Humble and hard-working Hugh, however, told their daughter, Janice Irwin, the Yell County Extension Service office may have overlooked someone else who may have deserved that status.

“I felt good when they told me we had won,” Eldridge said. “I felt like somebody else deserved it, though.”

“I cried when I found out,” Irwin said. “We don’t see ourselves as special.”

Anyone who meets these folks will realize they are a deserving family and special in a way that only a spirit of love can lend comprehension to.

Their farm has been in the family for more than 44 years. Hugh grew up there, less than a mile down the road from where they live now. Hugh and Margery still hold hands like newlyweds.

Janice and husband, Kevin Irwin, daughter, Sandra Andrews, and husband, Russell, plus three grandsons, all work the farm in various capacities during day-to-day operation.

Although family members were surprised to learn of their honor, Yell County Cooperative Extension Service agent Casey Scarborough said they are a great example of Arkansas River Valley independent farm owners who are also leaders in the agriculture community.

“They were some of the first people I met when I came here 9 years ago,” she said. “I am very happy and proud of them.”

The Eldridge family comes from a long line of farmers, Margery said.

“We both were raised in large families and on row crop and dairy cattle operations,” she said. “We grew up farming. Our farming as adults began with a breeder hen and cow/calf operation in Pope County.

“We raised our girls during that time. They grew up gathering eggs before automatic nests were available. Roosters used to jump up and spur the girls.”

The family runs an independently-owned 140-acre cattle farm to raise quality beef for sale. They currently have 98 head in their cow/calf operation.

Janice and her son, Jacob, a 3.5 GPA student in the agriculture program at Arkansas Tech University, are both Beef Quality Assurance (BQA) program certified. They follow the guidelines of that program to maintain optimal animal health and they both completed the University of Arkansas Beef IQ program.

Since farming operations have to evolve to stay productive, Hugh and Janice have worked with the Natural Resources Conservation Services (NRCS) to complete projects using rotational grazing and other methods to decrease soil erosion and maintain water quality.

Tips from the University of Arkansas’ Yell County Extension Services office have helped, she said.

The family has been able to have a shorter hay-feeding season by increasing the availability of grass after the implementation of a rotational grazing schedule to improve pasture utilization.

“The extension service talked about using paddocks, electric fences and feeding rotations to reduce feeding days,” Janice said. “We are now convinced rotational grazing is effective.”

Using electric fences to contain and move the herd makes life more simple. The family gave a demonstration of how easy it was to move the cattle from one area to another with little resistance from the cows.

Farming is tradition

For all, farming is a traditional way of life in the Birta community, which adds meaning to their family and community.

It’s been a chance for their family to do what they love and to share time together while building a legacy for current and future generations of Eldridge family members who want to farm.

Family values, years of farm industry experience and community service are just a few of the many reasons the Eldridge family was selected as Yell County’s Farm Family of the Year.

The Eldridges and Irwins are all members of the Yell County Cattlemen’s Association. Kevin and Janice are members of the Arkansas Forage and Grassland Council, Arkansas Farm Bureau, American Saler’s Association and American Border Collie Association.

Farming wasn’t simply something the Eldrigde family chose, but is a large part of who they are. Their strong sense of farm family heritage extends beyond their family farm to their family church.

They grew up attending church and said the decision to attend church was never difficult. The family has always considered their friends at Bethlehem Missionary Baptist Church to be extended family.

Hugh is a song leader, and Margery teaches Sunday school. Kevin is the Sunday school superintendent, while Janice teaches Sunday school, coordinates the weekly bulletin and is the director of Vacation Bible School.

Their son, Jacob, follows in his grandfather’s footsteps often by leading songs as well.

He is also the person who will most likely stay on the farm and continue full-time participation with day-to day operations, according to Janice.

“We have groomed Jacob to take over the farm,” Janice said. “Daddy gave all the boys a heifer when they were young. Jacob is the one who showed the most interest.”

Sandra and Russell’s son, Luke, has aspirations of becoming an airborne ranger in the U.S. Army. He will soon leave for Fort Benning, Ga. for basic training.